[Microendoscopic minimally invasive techniques in lacrimal surgery]

Use of Endoscopy in Keratoprostheses with Biological Haptics

INTRODUCTION

In severe ocular surface disease where penetrating keratoplasty cannot be successfully performed, implantation of a keratoprosthesis can achieve visual rehabilitation. Osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis offers good tissue integration due to its biological haptics, resulting in a better survival rate and lower extrusion rate. Due to corneal opacity, which is often complete, assessing the potential visual acuity is challenging. Also, during implantation of a keratoprosthesis or during later intraocular revision surgery, there is a limited field of view of the peripheral retina or ciliary body region. This is due to the small size and central location of the prosthesis optics and the geometric conditions of the prosthetic haptics. These factors can complicate surgery.

METHODS

Endoscopic video assistance was used in 7 eyes of 6 different patients (6 male, 2 female, mean age 66 ± 9 years). In 3 eyes the indication was for preoperative estimation of potential visual acuity during a 23 G vitrectomy. In 2 eyes it was used during implantation surgery itself, and in 2 eyes it was used during revision surgery and vitrectomy. An endoscope with semirigid optics and an image guidance system with 3,000 pixels and 70°field of view from PolyDiagnost was used, with a 23 G trocar system.

RESULTS

Endoscopy was successfully applied in all eyes examined. In 1 of 3 eyes where endoscopy was performed to estimate the visual acuity potential, a keratoprosthesis was subsequently planned. In the other two eyes, the visual acuity potential was rated insufficient for future keratoprosthesis surgery. Detailed assessment of the retina and optic disc was limited to gross pathologies because of low image resolution. During implantation, it was possible to visualize correct positioning of the posterior haptic behind the host cornea. Retroprosthetic membranes could successfully be removed by endoscopy-assisted vitrectomy.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopy assistance offers advantages in visualization both for determining the indication for KPro surgery, during implantation, and in the management of complications after implantation of a keratoprosthesis. Low resolution of the imaging system places limits on assessment capabilities. Although technical improvements and miniaturization may enhance its future capabilities, endoscopy in its current form is already a valuable addition in the context of keratoprosthesis surgery.

Long-term outcome of transcanalicular microdrill dacryoplasty: a minimally invasive alternative for dacryocystorhinostomy

Background/Aim

Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) remains the gold standard therapy for nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO), but is invasive and does not maintain the physiology of the lacrimal pathway. With transcanlicular microdrill dacryoplasty (MDP), there is a minimally invasive alternative surgical approach. This study aimed to present this modern lacrimal duct surgery technique and to evaluate its long-term success rate in a large study population.

Methods

The medical records of 1010 patients with acquired NLDO were retrospectively reviewed. Adult patients who had undergone transcanalicular MDP were included. The evaluation included the following parameters: age, gender, success rate, complication rate, obstruction grade and patient satisfaction. Long-term results regarding patient satisfaction and success rate were evaluated by a telephone survey. Only a complete resolution of symptoms was defined as success.

Results

793 eyes of 576 patients after transcanalicular MDP could be included in the study. The mean follow-up time was 8.7±0.9 years. Initial surgical success rate was 84.0%. At the time of the follow-up, 57.5% (n=229) still had full resolution of symptoms. The mean patient satisfaction with the procedure was 6.9±3.2 out of 10 points. Heavy bleeding occurred in two cases only (0.25%).

Conclusion

This is the first study to show the success rate of microendoscopic lacrimal duct surgery after such a long follow-up period and in such a large study population. Transcanalicular MDP is a minimally invasive technique with a very low complication rate and can be used as an alternative procedure before performing more invasive lacrimal duct surgery such as DCR.

Mechanical transnasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy versus transcanalicular multidiode laser dacryocystorhinostomy: long-term results of a prospective study

The purpose of this study is to compare two dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) techniques in epiphora treatment. This study is a prospective randomized trial. Twenty-nine patients presenting persistent epiphora due to primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) were included in the study. Two groups each consisting of 15 eyes were formed. Mechanical transnasal endoscopic DCR (MTE-DCR) was applied to the first group, while transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy with multidiode laser (TCML-DCR) techniques is employed in the second group. Follow-up is conducted in the first day, first week, and first month of the dacryocystorhinostomy which is followed by 4-month follow-up period, and results were compared using statistical methods. The main outcome measures were the elimination of epiphora and unrestricted flow of irrigated saline to the nose. Seven patients were male, 22 were female, and the mean age was 39.3 ± 12.5 years. Mean follow-up times were 111.3 ± 10.5 months and 93 ± 2.9 months in group 1 and group 2, respectively. Complete resolution is achieved in group 1, whereas failures stemming from canalicular stenosis and fibrosis at osteotomy site are recorded in two cases in group 2. Occlusion occurred in the fifth month in both cases. Thus, long-term success rates were 100% in the first and 86.6% in the second group (P = 0.483). MTE-DCR is a strong substitute for external DCR. Although TCML-DCR shows promising results, it is far away from becoming the gold standard technique in epiphora treatment.

Clinical efficacy comparison of low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation and Nd:YAG laser in treating recurrent acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation (coblation) and Nd:YAG laser in treating recurrent nasolacrimal duct obstruction. A prospective study was performed on patients who agreed to be treated with coblation or Nd:YAG laser for recurrent nasolacrimal duct obstruction after failed lacrimal Nd:YAG laser combined with silicone intubation. The visual analogue scale (VAS) pain grade was assessed at baseline, immediately, and 3 and 7 days after surgery. The degree of watering, lacrimal passage irrigation, and complications were also evaluated 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. Ninety-five patients who met the criteria for recurrent nasolacrimal duct obstruction from February 2018 to February 2019 were included in this study, with 46 patients receiving coblation and 49 patients Nd:YAG laser. The intraoperative and postoperative (3 days after surgery) VAS pain grades of the patients who received coblation were significantly lower than those who received Nd:YAG laser (P < 0.001). The number of patients in the coblation group who achieved complete clinical relief (no epiphora symptoms with fluent lacrimal passage irrigation) was significantly larger than that in the lacrimal Nd:YAG laser group at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery (P = 0.033, P = 0.006, P = 0.003, respectively). During the follow-up period, there were no unexpected complications in either group. Compared with Nd:YAG laser, coblation performed well in alleviating pain and maintaining sustained disease relief and may therefore be an alternative to conventional laser or dacryocystorhinostomy surgery in the management of recurrent nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Primary Probing with and without Monoka Silastic Stent Intubation for Epiphora in Older Children and Adults

Purpose: To report the results of primary probing with and without monocanalicular silastic stent intubation for the relief of chronic epiphora in older children and adults and to assess its effectivity on final surgical outcome.Materials and methods: An uncontrolled surgical trial was designed. A total of 124 eyes of 102 patients (90 female, 12 male; 80 unilateral, 22 bilateral) with uncomplicated nasolacrimal ductus obstruction had primary probing with and without monocanalicular silastic stent intubation by a Ritleng probe. Symptomatic relief of epiphora and positive dye test were established as success. The time of the operation was measured, the success rate was assessed, the advantages and disadvantages were evaluated and the surgical outcome was compared with our previous papers.Results: The mean age of the patients was 37.2 years (range, 6-59) with a mean follow-up period of 14.7 months (range, 6-24). The symptoms were present for a mean of 2.5 years (range, 6 months-5 years). Of 124 eyes, 21 cases underwent only primary probing whereas the remaining 103 had primary probing with monocanalicular silastic stent intubation. The operative time was 4.3 min (range, 3-12). The silastic stents were removed between third to six months. The overall success rates at the first visit (2 weeks after stent removal) and the last visit were 58.5% and 45.2% (56 cases), respectively. None of the cases demonstrated any per- or postoperative complications. All 68 failure eyes underwent uneventful external dacryocystorhinostomy, 65 (95.5%) of which were successful with the relief of previous symptoms at final visit.Conclusions: Primary probing with or without monocanalicular silastic stent intubation may be tried initially in older children and adults with complete nasolacrimal duct obstructions, as this intervention does not prevent further possible conventional dacryocystorhinostomy in case of failure, speeds up the procedure, and avoids the disadvantages of invasive approaches.